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>> Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Let's talk healthy (or heathier) today.

So you've just had dinner...and it is now time of the night when you scour the kitchen for desserts. So what do you find? Ice-cream, chocolate (with sea-salt!), or cakes? No? C'mon, I can't be the only one!

Ever since my recent over-indulgenceinJapan, I've been thinking a lot about low fat desserts. Is that even possible?!

Then I magically found agar agar (kanten in Japanese) in my pantry.

You know what's so lovely about this stuff?

It is made of approximately 80% fibre and as you digest, it increases in volume in your stomach by absorbing the water...which means, you'll be fuller quicker than ever!

Oh and you know what else I love about it? Unlike your usual gelatin, it is all-vegetable (extracted from seaweed) and completely odourless! Thank goodness. Is it just me or does gelatin smell really bad when you boil it?

Many sites I have came across boast that agar agar is completely fat-free, has 0 calories and 0 sugar and carbs. While I don't know how accurate these sources are, I'd say it has been a great replacement to my usual ice-cream lately!

I have tested with one of my favourite food combinations...

Matcha and red beans with coconut....in 2 different versions.

Oy, isn't variety the spice of life?

This is probably the easiest dessert recipe you'll ever find. All you need to know is...

1 cup (or more depending on preference) cooked red bean (boil in water for 45 mins)

1 tsp agar agar powder

Matcha layer

1-2 tsp matcha powder

2 tblsp condensed milk (ok, this isn't healthy stuff I know)

1/2 tsp agar agar powder

1 cup low-fat milk

1. Pour the coconut milk and water into a saucepan and add the agar agar powder. Let rest for 10 minutes.

2. Add in the sugar and bring the liquid to boil.

3. Once sugar has dissolved, pour the liquid into your preferred container. It should set within 20 minutes.

4. Pour on another layes once the previous layer is about to set. Then refrigerate for 2 hours.

Follow the above methods for the other layers...

Note: with the red bean layer, before you pour the red bean onto the coconut layer, maybe sure you pour a small layer of the liquid first then wait for a few minutes before placing the beans and pouring the rest of the liquid over it. This will ensure that the layers stick together better.Coconut, Red bean and Matcha Agar Agar - Version #2

This version uses exactly the same ingredients as the above step minus the 2 cups of water with the red beans. I just combined the coconut water with the red beans and omitted one layer.

I also used a different type of green tea (you can obviously see the beautiful vibrant green in this second version. Make sure you use fresh and good quality green tea (matcha) powder. It makes a whole lot of difference. The one I used in the first version was about to expire!

I've now a list of other flavour combinations that I can't wait to try.

They look so pretty! I love all the flavours in this- I'm sure I'd love this dessert =D And it's so easy too! I think I'll have to try this one day....I've never used agar agar though- I'll have to buy some one day!

The second one looks like the jelly things they sell at Asian supermarkets- only I think the green part in those ones are pandan flavoured....

Hey Viv,Stumbled upon your blog while looking for coconut pudding.You have one lovely blog with gorgeous pictures.I m really keen on making this pudding coz I adore matcha.Thanks for sharing.Will be back soon.

hey Yi, I bought the matcha powder in Japan but I can't remember the brand anymore (it's expired so I chucked it away) arghh. I tried looking for it online but can't find it ...i rem the name was in japanese (which i don't read lol). i think you get what you pay for with green tea (the more expensive, the better quality/the powder has a deeper/more vibrant green colour).

Hi your dessert looks amazing, can you please tell e which agar agar powder you use? If you can tell me te brand or picture woud e even better? I wonder if ts Asian agar or gelatin powder from supermarket?Thanks.

i love your recipe! was wondering whether you could help me solve my agar agar woes ... when i leave my agar in the fridge for more than an hour condensation starts to collect around the agar. i have no idea how to stop this from happening ... and am unsure whether it is good/bad.

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